Grazing Corn Residue: A Win-Win for Crop and Cattle Producers
Are you looking for additional income from your corn acres? If so, consider leasing your corn acres for cattle grazing after grain harvest.
Video
For more on this topic, view a Market Journal interview with UNL Beef Specialist Rick Rasby on the YouTube Market Journal channel.
Many crop producers have concerns that cattle trampling could negatively affect soil physical properties and subsequent crop yields. However, research conducted at UNL has shown that grazing corn residue at the recommended stocking rate does not reduce corn or soybean yields in irrigated fields the following growing season. In fact, a long-term study at Mead (Figure 2) showed slight improvements (2 to 3 bu/ac) in soybean production following grazed corn residue when managed in a corn-soybean rotation. This result was the same regardless of whether cattle were grazed in the fall (November through January) or the spring (February through April).
In a five-year study at Brule corn yields were measured after cattle had been grazed in the fall in a continuous corn field: No effect on subsequent corn yields has been observed.
It is well-documented that residue protects soil from erosion. Some corn fields, due to topography and/or low corn grain yield, should not be grazed, but there are very few of these fields in Nebraska. In most instances, excess residue can impede soil warm-up in the spring and seed placement at planting. Residue removal through grazing offers an alternative method for management of this excess residue.
About 45% to 50% of the aboveground biomass produced by the corn plant is stover (residue). For each bushel of dry corn produced, about 41 lb of residue is also produced. Corn production of 150 bu/ac produces about 3 tons/ac of residue; a yield of 200 bu/ac produces a little over 4 tons of residue. Of this residue about 40% (16 lb/bu) is leaf and husk, which is highly digestible and a good source of cattle feed.
Cattle are selective grazers and will eat any grain remaining first (reducing the likelihood of volunteer corn), followed by the husk and leaf.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln recommendations for determining stocking are based on 50% utilization of the leaf and husk (8 lb/bu) or about 20% of the residue (Table 1). Some additional residue would disappear by trampling and other factors such as wind loss. For most corn fields in Nebraska, there would be no increased risk of erosion if 40% to 50% of the corn residue was removed. Grazing at the stocking densities provided in Table 1 would leave plenty of soil cover.
Grazing corn residues can benefit both cattle and crop producers. Corn residue should be viewed as an economical source of winter roughage for cattle that can provide an extra source of income from corn production that does not affect next year's crop production.
Mary Drewnoski, UNL Beef Systems Specialist
Daren Redfearn, UNL Forage/Crop Residue Systems Specialist
| Table 1. UNL recommended stocking rates for grazing gestating cows or growing calves on corn residue | |||||
| Corn Yield bu/ac | Animal Unit Month1 (AUM)/ac | No. of 1200 lb cows per ac for 30 days | No of grazing days if stocked at one 1200 lb cow/ac | No of 600 lb calves per acre for 30 days | No of grazing days if stocked at two 600 lb calves/ac |
| 100 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 28 | 2.2 | 33 |
| 125 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 36 | 2.8 | 42 |
| 150 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 43 | 3.3 | 50 |
| 175 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 50 | 3.9 | 58 |
| 200 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 57 | 4.4 | 67 |
| 225 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 64 | 5.0 | 75 |
| 250 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 71 | 5.6 | 83 |
| 1One Animal Unit Month (AUM) is the amount of forage required to sustain a 1,000-pound cow or equivalent for one month. It has been determined that a 1,000-pound cow will consume 702 pounds of dry matter monthly. | |||||
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